Set of color coded luggage containers

ABSTRACT

A set of color coded luggage containers comprising a foldable flat “clam shell” member. The set is color coded, the color reflecting the contents thereof.

This patent application claims priority from and incorporates byreference provisional patent application No. 60/487,818 filed Jul. 16,2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Luggage containers including clam shell style luggage containers thatfold in half.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Luggage containers are often adapted or modified to be used for aspecific purpose. Applicant has found a novel combination of featuresthat have specific utility in the medical area.

In a natural disaster, terrorist attack or other emergency situationwhich there is a sudden need for immediate medical attention to a largenumber of people with injuries ranging from severe to minor, a medicalteam is often required at the scene.

Applicants provide a novel system of luggage containers that areparticularly appropriate to this situation.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a medical team witha system of luggage that will allow them to easily respond in anemergency, mass injury situation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a system ofcolor coded luggage with indicia thereon to allow a medical team toquickly and efficiently distribute medical supplies at a mass injuryscene.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These objects and other objects are provided for in Applicants' novelsystem comprising a multiplicity of clam shell luggage containers.

Applicants' novel system of clam shell luggage containers are colorcoded and have hooks on one cover half to hang the container verticallyfrom a support surface.

Applicants' novel system of clam shell luggage containers with hooks forhanging vertically adjacent a support surface also includes clearpockets, fold-down pockets, and indicia on the color coded exteriorsurface thereof.

Applicants have found that a series of color coded—indicia coded clamshell luggage containers provide an efficient means for a medical teamresponse at a mass injury site. For example, a clam shell luggagecontainer in a orange color prominently featuring “Suture Pack”prominently on the outside covers thereof may contain, for example, thefollowing supplies: suture material, needles and forceps. These supplieswould be used for suturing patients. Another clam shell luggagecontainer in the same set may be designated anesthesia pack and have asurface color of black and contain the following supplies orinstruments: anesthesia and syringes. This particular luggage containerwould be selected by those personnel who would administer anesthesia.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a container in an unfolded downposition hanging vertically from a support surface by hooks.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the container as set forth in FIG.1 above.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the container set forth in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the container as set forth inFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the container in a closed position.

FIG. 5A is a front elevational view and FIG. 5B is a side elevationalview of the container in a closed configuration.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of FIG. 2 showing how the pockets may beremovably secured to the inside surface of the cover.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view showing a second container ofapplicants' system having similar (but not necessarily identical)exterior dimensions, but having a different color and having at leastsome of the pockets inside being of different dimensions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate a luggage container (10) having an outercover (12) thereon. The luggage container (10) may have a longitudinalaxis (LA) (see FIG. 3), which longitudinal axis will be vertical whenthe luggage container is in the open and hanging in the positionillustrated in FIG. 1.

Thus, it is seen that there are two “halves” to this clam shell design,which halves are separated by hinged member (18) and connectable to oneanother by a cover zipper (17) or other fastener so that, in an openposition, the luggage container (10) may hang as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3and in a closed position appears as set forth in FIG. 5.

Both first cover half (14) and second cover half (16) typically have thesame color which is typically the same color as inner surface (19).Furthermore, indicia (15) is typically provided, prominently displayedon one of either first cover half or second cover half or on bothcovers. Indicia color will contrast against optional background colorpanel (21), for example, indicia may be black, background color white(or vice versa) on all bags—and both colors contrast with the color ofthe outer cover (12) of the luggage container. Further, indicia (15) mayalso be printed on the inner surface (19) as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Hooks (20) or other hanging means (grommets, straps or the like) areprovided, typically two and spaced apart as set forth in FIGS. 1 and 3.Hooks (20) are provided to locate luggage container (10) stably againsta vertical surface, such that when in use attached pockets (22) and theoptional fold out pocket (24) are easily accessible. Note that attachedpockets (22) are typically attached to inner surface (19) in a mannersuch that a pocket zipper (28) is available in or adjacent pocket topwall (30) to allow access to the contents of the pocket. At least someof the pockets are clear vinyl to allow identification of the contentsthereof.

The multiple pockets are typically sized to conform to the medicalinstruments or supplies carried therein. Furthermore, pocket side walls(26) are typically at least partially non opaque. Pocket dividers (32)typically are provided separating the interior volume defined by thewalls of the pocket into separate spaces. The pockets are typicallyaccessible through the top by means of pocket closure means such aszippers or Velcro.

There are attached pockets (22) which are typically affixed, eithertemporarily as by Velcro fastener means (VL and VH, FIG. 6) on the backwalls of the attached pockets (22) to the inner cover, or permanentlyaffixed as by sewing to the cover inner surface (19).

There exists also a novel fold out pocket (24) with a front wall (24A),typically non-opaque and a typically opaque rear wall (24B). Attachmentedge (24C) is provided, which maybe along the top wall and side edge(24D) is provided which may be capable of opening, as by Velcro or thelike. Optionally, elastic loops (34) are sewn into the inside of thecovers to provide or storage and retention of instruments and/orsupplies provided with the kit.

FIG. 7 discloses a similarly dimensioned kit, except for the color,indicia and dimensions of some of the pockets, designed as they are forinstruments and supplies required by the suture technicians.

The table below illustrates the proposed set of kit names, kit colorsand kit contents:

The external dimensions in a closed configuration as set forth in FIG. 5are about 18″×18″. When folded out, it will hang to have about 18″×36″.The cover material may be made preferably from a heavy duty cordura. Thepockets may be made, in opaque portion, of the same material. Thenon-opaque or transparent portion of the pockets may be made from clearvinyl. The pockets may be edged with reinforcement material such asnylon tape. KIT NAME COLOR CONTENTS OR Pack Red OR Pack OR Patient PackGreen OR Patient Suture Pack Orange Suture Staple Pack Maroon StaplersTeam Prep Pack Grey Team Prep OR Ans. Pack Black OR Anesthesia OR Ans.Patient Pack Teal OR Anesthesia Pre-Op Pack Purple Pre-Op Pre-Op PatientPack Royal Blue Pre-Op Patient Post Op Pack Olive Drab Post Op Post OpPatient Pack Navy Blue Post Op Patient

While the color coded luggage is provided with medical kits andsupplies, the same system may be used for other items, such asveterinary supplies or even tools. Moreover, the shape and design of theluggage container need not be of a clam shell design—in the broadestsense the invention relates to any color coded, indicia bearing luggageset.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limitedsense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well asalternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent topersons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of theinvention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims willcover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.

1. A system of containers comprising: a first clam shell luggagecontainer having an outer and an inner surface, and hooks to hang thecontainer vertically on a support surface and having a multiplicity ofclear pockets on the inner surface thereof, the outer surface of thefirst container having a first color and bearing indicia thereon, theindicia descriptive of the contents of the container; and a second,similarly dimensioned clam shell luggage container different from thefirst in the outer surface color, indicia and at least some of thecontents thereof.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first clam shellluggage container includes some pockets having dimensions different thanthe dimensions of some of the pockets of the second clam shellcontainer.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the indicia of the firstshell luggage container includes one of the following: OR; suture;staple; team prep; anesthesia; pre-op or post op.
 4. The system of claim1 wherein at least some of the clear pockets of the first clam shellcontainer and some of the clear pockets of the second clam shell luggagecontainer are adapted to be removably secured to the container.
 5. Thesystem of claim 4 wherein at least some of the pockets include hook andloop fasteners to removably secure the pockets to the container.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the first clam shell luggage container furtherincludes a background panel against which the indicia appears, thebackground panel, indicia and outer surface color being contrasting.